I like to play in the Unified Football events but there is no space for me this time. I try to convince the organizers that I’d be a good addition to one of the two starting line ups but the teams are picked, warmed up and ready to play.
Special Olympics’ banner welcomes The Ball to TogoBefore kick off players on both teams give The Ball a guard of honour to welcome it onto the pitch.
The Ball receives a guard of honourI take my place in the small crowd assembled for the UNICEF sponsored match. The game unfolds and it is impossible to tell the Special Olympics athletes apart from the rest. All players on both teams are talented footballers and the quality of football is very good. Special Olympics athletes can play football as well as anyone.
The game ends at 1-1 and a penalty shoot-out is needed to separate the teams. The yellow team wins but both teams come together to celebrate as one and to sing and dance together. How often do you get to see that in football?
The winning team wore yellowMany thanks to our partner the Goethe-Institut for donating some footballs.
What would Goethe have said about this game?This game was about having fun and about participating and about friendship. Sure, both teams try to win but losing is insignificant. Isn’t this the spirit of football?
Written by Andrew Aris on Saturday, May 1st, 2010
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